By Jim Baker
“The desire to understand magic in
any specific cultural context is an intellectual puzzle not only for scholars
but believers.”
Orders will be dispatched on or
before the 11th of July.
The Cunning Man’s Handbook is a
monumental work of phenomenal scope and scholarship, a comprehensive and
challenging exploration of the practices and beliefs of Cunning Folk in Britain
and America during their heyday from 1550-1900.
Exploring the social and theological milieu of the period, the author
demonstrates the essentially Christian nature of Cunning practices, and
presents an illuminating discourse on the concept of magic and how it was
perceived as working.
Operating at the boundaries of the
law and society, between medicine and magic, Cunning Men and Women occupied a
liminal role as healers, charmers and magicians. Drawing from a huge range of sources, the
range of services offered by Cunning Folk is thoroughly expounded, from
divination through astrology and geomancy to dream interpretation, from charms,
spells and curses to conjurations and treasure hunting. As Jim Baker states, “The focus here is on
the practice of folk magic and divination for access to the preternatural”.
The evolution of Cunning practices
as a living tradition over the three hundred fifty year span is explored in
depth, illustrating their practical and contemporary nature. The analogous practices of African-American
conjure and root work are also discussed to offer insights into oral fragments
of Cunning practices lost to history and present another example of how
modernity modifies tradition. Referring
to dozens of Cunning Men and Women and their practices, this work offers a
unique glimpse into magical history, and the opportunity to reclaim the essence
of Cunning Magic.
You can pre-order your copy now.
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